Report of the Petersham Advisory Finance Committee. Special & Annual Town Meeting Warrants

Transcription

1 TOW N O F PE T E R S H A M, MASSAC H U S E T TS Report of the Petersham Advisory Finance Committee FOR FISCAL YEAR 2019 Special & Annual Town Meeting Warrants FOR JUNE 4, 2018

2 ON THE COVER Petersham Police Department This year s cover highlights the Petersham Police Department. The Police Station is located at 15 East Street. Prior to the current location, the Department was located on the second floor of the Town Office brick building at 3 South Main Street. In 2008, with support from local taxpayers and State grant funding, a former garage and police storage space directly across the street from the Fire Station was redesigned by Reinhardt Associates of Agawam and renovated by Diversified Construction Services of Amherst with assistance from town staff. With its town center location, office space, conference room, and vehicle garage, the facility has served police officers and the community well. PHOTOS: N. ALLEN

3 TOWN OF PETERSHAM, MASSACHUSETTS Report of the Petersham Advisory Finance Committee For Fiscal Year 2019 Special & Annual Town Meeting Warrants JUNE 4, 2018 PETERSHAM TOWN HALL TABLE OF CONTENTS Town Budget Glossary 2 Summary of Total Fiscal Year 2018 Recommended Town Budget 3 Report from the Advisory Finance Committee 4 Fiscal Year 2019 Estimated Cherry Sheet 6 Fiscal Year 2019 Line Item Budget Sheets 7 Fiscal Year 2018 Special Articles 12 Fiscal Year 2019 Special Articles 13 Description of the Consent Calendar 14 Special Town Meeting Warrant Fiscal Year 2018 Special Town Meeting Warrant Articles 15 Annual Town Meeting Warrant Fiscal Year 2019 Annual Town Meeting Warrant Articles 16 Proposed School Budgets for Fiscal Year 2019 Summary of Proposed Appropriation by Each School 25 Petersham Center School 26 Ralph C. Mahar Regional School District 28 Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School District 31

4 Glossary Cherry Sheet: The Cherry Sheet is the official notification by the state Commissioner of Revenue to municipalities and school districts of estimated state aid to be paid and charges to be assessed over the next fiscal year. As the state budget process unfolds updated local aid proposals are posted. Final Cherry Sheets are issued once the state budget is enacted by the Legislature and approved by the Governor. In the past, the Cherry Sheet came to the towns on cherry red paper, now it is all electronic. Excess Levy Capacity: If a community sets its property tax levy, exclusive of amounts that are subject to debt exclusions, below its levy limit, the difference between those is referred to as excess levy capacity. This is an additional amount of money a community can choose to raise for that given year and still remain under the Proposition 2-1/2 levy limit. Free Cash: This is the money that the town appropriated at town meeting the year before that was unspent during the fiscal year. At the end of the fiscal year it is accounted for and the books are sent to the State Department of Revenue (DOR) to be certified. Once the amount is certified it can be used either during the current fiscal year or in the budget for the next year. It can only be appropriated by Town Meeting. If it is not appropriated, it goes back into Free Cash for the next year. While the amount varies considerably from year to year, typically we have around $100,000 in Free Cash annually. Levy Limit: The levy limit is the maximum amount a community can tax in a given year, exclusive of any amounts that are voted as debt excluded. The annual increase in the levy limit in any given year is limited to 2.5% by State law. Property Tax Levy: The property tax levy is the revenue a community actually raises through real and personal property taxes in a given year. The property tax levy is the largest source of revenue for Petersham. This figure includes previously voted commitments to projects utilizing debt and capital exclusions such as the school construction projects and vehicle purchases. ReCap Sheet: A document submitted by cities and towns to the DOR in order to set the local property tax rate. The recap sheet shows all estimated revenues and actual appropriations that affect the property tax rate. Reserve Fund: Every year, the town sets aside a reserve fund that can be appropriated by the Advisory Finance Committee together with the Selectboard at their discretion. This allows for unanticipated expenditures by any department that are not provided for in the budget. The advantage of this is that we do not have to call a Special Town Meeting to meet these expenses, but it allows for only limited amount of money to be used. If we need more we need to call a Town Meeting. Revolving Fund: Certain departments collect fees for a particular service, such as the Board of Health will collect a fee for the design review of a septic system. The Board may then hire a professional septic engineer to review the plans to make sure they are in compliance with the state s Title 5 Regulations and local codes. The fees are put into the revolving funds and the inspector s fee is paid out of this fund. Stabilization Fund: This is an amount of money that the town sets aside to use if there are emergency needs or if there are capital outlay expenses that need to be covered. It can only be appropriated at a Town Meeting by a 2/3 vote of the voters present at the meeting. Remember that Petersham has a requirement that at least 10% of the registered voters must be present for a quorum before the meeting can begin. 2

5 Town of Petersham Annual Town Meeting June 4, 2018 Report to the Voters from the Advisory Finance Committee Fiscal Year 2019 (July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019) Dear Voters, Please read this Report prior to the Special & Annual Town Meetings at Petersham Town Hall on Monday, June 4, 2018, at 7:30 PM. When questions arise, the Advisory Finance Committee, Selectboard, School Committees, and/or others, will answer your questions as best they can. The sum of the GENERAL BUDGET (Sheets shown on Report pages 7 11) and the Special Articles (shown on Report page 13) is the TOTAL PETERSHAM BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2019 and is shown in summary below. The Advisory Finance Committee has drafted a TOTAL PETERSHAM BUDGET that is under Proposition 2-1/2, and will NOT require an override election if all our recommendations are followed. Respectfully submitted Ross France, Chair; Paul Youd, Vice Chair; Don Clarkson, Clerk; Mark Bishop; Richard Cavanaugh SUMMARY TOTAL PETERSHAM BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2019 FY2019 AFC RECOMMENDED BUDGET FY2019 ORIGINAL BUDGET pp. 11 & pp. 11 & pp. 11 &

6 4 Report by the Petersham Advisory Finance Committee For Annual Town Meeting on June 4, 2018 / For Fiscal Year 2019 Summary Our next fiscal year tax appropriation will be approximately $306,000 more than last year, leading to an estimated increase of $1.90/$1,000 in the tax rate. The $1.90 increase is an extraordinary increase of 11.6% over this year s tax rate. Fiscal Goals and Efforts The Town is in a good financial position due to our collective efforts to achieve the following fiscal goals: 1. The primary goal and responsibility of the Advisory Finance Committee (AFC) is to craft a budget that provides essential services within the constraints of Proposition 2-1/2. We cannot do this alone: it requires budgetary discipline from all of our Town departments. Each year we request that departments begin with a level-funded budget and justify any necessary increases. At the same time, we all realize that there will be inevitable increases due to factors beyond our direct control (including changes in state aid, health insurance rates, liability insurance rates, retirement costs, and variable assessments for Mahar and Montachusett Regional). 2. We strive to keep the general operating budget under the Proposition 2-1/2 levy limit, in order to be able to fund special Articles i.e., so-called non-operating expenses. 3. We try to ensure that our Town employees are treated fairly and reasonably, recommending raises that are affordable and sustainable. This year we are recommending a 2.5% increase for all non-contract Town employees. 4. We avoid using Free Cash to pay for general operating expenses because the amount varies considerably from year to year. (This year we have $148,367 after using $29,272 for FY18 Snow removal.) We generally limit the use of Free Cash to payment for capital improvement Articles or to increase the Stabilization Fund. 5. We plan for future contingencies by means of the Stabilization Fund, which is our Town savings account. The importance of these efforts was called out specifically in an S&P credit report on Petersham, which lauded our strong liquidity (that is the Stabilization Fund). Having a healthy Stabilization Fund was critical in our ability to finance major expenditures. In planning for the Fiscal Year 2019 budget, we set our goal of keeping the total budget (General Budget + Special Articles) approximately $150,000 under the Proposition 2 1/2 levy limit. Maintaining such excess levy capacity enables the Town to deal with late-breaking revenue shortfalls. You will see a surplus at the bottom of the Report on page 3. This is an additional amount the Town could levy, but chooses not to. The Fiscal Year 2019 Operating Budget There are several budget requests that we call your attention to: 1. The Petersham Center School (PCS) budget request for Fiscal Year 2019 is significant. The requested increase in the appropriation from the PCS is about $57,000 or about 3.9% over this year. This request could result in an increase of about $0.39 on the tax rate. The AFC understands that the PCS increase results primarily from wage step increases for PCS staff and a budgeted reduction in School Choice income of $24,000. A couple of facts about PCS finances: a. 19% of expenses, or $368,000 is for Special Education costs. b. State Chapter 70 funding has only increased an average of 0.5% over the last 5 years. 2. The budget for students choosing out of the PCS increased by almost $31,000 over this year. This request could result in an increase of about $0.21 on the tax rate. 3. The Ralph C. Mahar Regional School District (Mahar) budget request for Fiscal Year 2019 is notable. The requested increase in the appropriation from Mahar is about $26,000 or about 3.5% over this year. This request could result in an increase of about $0.18 on the tax rate. The AFC understands that the increase primarily results from a decrease in School Choice revenue of about

7 $392,000 and in part the result of an increase in the percentage of the number of Petersham students relative to students from the other Towns in the District. 4. An increase in utilization of health insurance for town employees and an increase in premiums of over 9% resulted in a budget increase of over $27,000. This request could result in an increase of about $0.18 on the tax rate. 5. The Police Department is providing part-time officers for two weekend evening shifts that previously were not covered at costs of over $16,000. This request could result in an increase of about $0.11 on the tax rate. While the Advisory Finance Committee is recommending approval of the above items, please feel free to call for a hold when these items come up for a vote to hear the rationale for the specific budget item. Additional noteworthy changes in the FY2019 general budget include: 1. County Retirement $12,916 increase. 2. Health Insurance-Retirees $12,353 premium rate increases. 3. Election and Registration Salaries $5,300 related to 2018 State elections. 4. Interest $3,700 increase includes interest on broadband financing. 5. Montachusett Technical RSD assessment increased $12,704 largely due to additional Petersham student. 6. Snow Removal $5,000 budget increase. Snow removal cost exceeded the budget this year by over $29,000. Overall, the Town s general operating budget (not including special Articles) is $224,203 more than last year, an increase of about 6.3%. Special Articles and Free Cash Among the noteworthy Special Articles are the following: 1. Article 21 (Police Chief Contractual Obligations) The Police Chief is retiring and the Town is contractually obligated to pay his accumulated accrued benefits. The budget includes $24,000 to provide for this obligation. 2. Article 29 (Cyclical Reassessment of Values) is required by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. We recommend this Article in order to comply with State law. 3. Article 28 (Debt Service for asbestos abatement) The Town will borrow up to $384,000 to pay for the abatement of asbestos in the Nichewaug Inn & Academy building approved previously in a Special Town Meeting. The budget includes $42,262 for debt service, of which $21,539 is coming from taxation. This request could result in an increase of about $0.15 on the tax rate. 4. Article 31 (Fire hose replacement), Article 32 (Fire turnout gear), Article 33 (Handicap lift matching funds) and Article 34 (Highway Dept. truck) are Capital Improvement Planning Committeee (CIPC) recommendations. We support these Articles as part of the Town s ongoing capital improvement plan. All of these are funded with Free Cash, except Article 33 is funded from the Town Hall handicap ramp account. 5. Article 35 (Town Hall paving), Article 36 (Monument repair), Article 37 (Bandstand repair) and Article 38 (Town Common landscaping). We support these Articles as part of the Town s ongoing improvement plans. 6. Article 40 (Stabilization Account funding). Following favorable action on Article 33, the AFC recommends increasing the funding of the Stabilization Account with the balance of the Town Hall handicap amp account. Free Cash is $177,640 this year. We have recommended using $29,272 of Free Cash to close the current Fiscal Year 2018 Snow & Ice Account and $148,367 for FY2019 CIPC projects as well as the Town Common landscaping and partial funding of the Reserve Fund. Conclusion This year s total recommended budget is approximately $230,000 more than the FY2018. In the absence of any other changes, voters can expect to see an increase in the tax rate of about $1.90/$1000 over this year. At our Annual and Special Town meetings, voters raise and appropriate funds for Town services and expenses. The money voters agree to raise directly determines property taxes. Th e AFC seeks to recommend Articles based on how the requested appropriations affect the fiscal health of the Town and the well being of its residents. Ultimately, however, each of us must decide how much we are willing to pay for these services and expenses. In that sense, every Article at every meeting is Voter Preference and we urge you to consider all issues carefully when making an informed decision. 5

8 Town of Petersham Estimated Cherry Sheet Estimated Cherry Sheet FY2019 FY2018 FY2017 6

9 Town of Petersham General Budget Fiscal Year

10 Town of Petersham General Budget Fiscal Year 2019 (continued) 8

11 Town of Petersham General Budget Fiscal Year 2019 (continued) 9

12 Town of Petersham General Budget Fiscal Year 2019 (continued) 10

13 Town of Petersham General Budget Fiscal Year 2019 (continued) 11

14 Town of Petersham Special Articles Fiscal Year 2018 Special Town Meeting FY2018 ARTICLES AND FUNDING SOURCES 12

15 Town of Petersham Special Articles Fiscal Year 2019 Annual Town Meeting FY2019 ARTICLES AND FUNDING SOURCES * if raised by taxation 13

16 About the Consent Calendar for Annual Town Meeting A number of years ago, the Selectboard and the Moderator implemented a Consent Calendar. This is part of an effort to make our Town Meeting more productive and save time for discussion of the key issues. Each year there are a number of Warrant Articles for which past experience suggests that the action will be routine, non-controversial, and predictable. At this Annual Meeting, these Articles will be selected for inclusion in the Consent Calendar. As one of the first items of business, there will be a motion to takeall of these Articles as printed in this Warrant (see Articles 2 18 on following pages 16 18) and act upon these as a group by a single, brief, affirmative main motion, referred to as the Consent Calendar. The use of the Consent Calendar speeds the passage of Warrant Articles which the Selectboard and Moderator, in consultation with Town Counsel and the Advisory Finance Committee, believe should generate no controversy and can be properly voted without debate. At the motion of the Consent Calendar, the Moderator will call out the number of each of the Articles, one by one. If any voter has doubt about passing any motion, or wishes an explanation of any Article included in the Consent Calendar, the voter should say the word hold in a loud voice when the Article number is called by the Moderator. The Moderator will then inquire as to whether the request to hold is for a question or for debate. If the purpose of the request was merely to ask a question, an attempt to obtain a satisfactory answer will be made, and if this occurs the Article will remain on the Consent Calendar. If the purpose of the request was to hold the Article for debate, the Article will be dropped from the Consent Calendar and restored to its original place in the Warrant to be brought up, debated, and voted on in the usual way. After calling the individual Articles on the Consent Calendar, the Moderator will ask that all Articles remaining be PASSED AS A UNIT by a unanimous vote after a brief affirmative main motion is made inclusive of all Articles remaining on the Consent Calendar. No voter should hesitate to exercise their right to remove an Article from the Consent Calendar for discussion in the regular Warrant. It is the view of the voters as to the need for debate that is supreme, not that of the Town officials who prepared the Consent Calendar. It is hoped that voters will remove Articles from the Consent Calendar only in cases of genuine concern. THE CONSENT CALENDAR WILL BE TAKEN UP AS ONE OF THE FIRST ORDERS OF BUSINESS AT THE ANNUAL TOWN MEETING. As noted, all Special and Annual Town Meeting Articles are found in this Warrant (see pages 16 24). Please review the proposed Articles for the Consent Calendar, the regular Warrant Articles, and the Advisory Finance Committee comments which follow. Please do your homework before coming to Town Meeting. If you have any questions about the Articles included in the Consent Calendar, regular Warrant, motions, or procedures, please feel free to call the Administrative Coordinator ( ) or the Moderator ( ) before the Meeting. The voters at Petersham Annual Town Meeting will also be asked by the Moderator at the beginning of the Meeting to vote the following action: That on Articles which require a 2/3s vote, the Moderator will not be required to take an actual count, again to save time, unless the Moderator so chooses. A test vote may, or may not, be taken to determine whether the binding vote could be unanimous. If not, a call for those opposed may be taken first and counted and those voting in the affirmative would then be called for and the count would be estimated. However, if at any time seven (7) voters question the count, an actual count will be taken. 14

17 Town of Petersham SPECIAL TOWN MEETING WARRANT June 4, 2018 ARTICLE l. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate from available funds, take from the Stabilization Fund, or otherwise provide the sum of $29, to eliminate the Fiscal Year 2018 Snow and Ice Account deficit; or act in relation thereto. END OF SPECIAL TOWN MEETING WARANT... 15

18 Town of Petersham ANNUAL TOWN MEETING WARRANT June 4, 2018 ARTICLE l. To receive the reports of Town Officers and Committees and act thereon. BEGINNING OF CONSENT AGENDA ARTICLE 2. CONSENT To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Treasurer to enter into compensating balance agreements during Fiscal Year 2018, as permitted by Massachusetts General Laws (MGL), Chapter 44, Section 53F; or act in relation ARTICLE 3. CONSENT To see if the Town will vote to use the income of the William B. Spooner Fund as of March 31 of the current fiscal year at the Petersham Memorial Library for Fiscal Year 2019; or act in relation thereto. ARTICLE 4. CONSENT To see if the Town will vote for the Treasurer to use the Elizabeth Newton Charities Trust Fund and Elizabeth Newton Deserving Poor Trust Fund for assistance to Petersham veterans approved for benefits by Massachusetts Department of Veteran s Services through the Local Veterans Service Office for Fiscal Year 2019; or act in relation thereto. ARTICLE 5. CONSENT To see if the Town will vote for the Conservation Commission to use the accumulated interest from the Evelyn V. Murphy Conservation Fund as of March 31 of the current fiscal year for Fiscal Year 2019; or act in relation thereto. ARTICLE 6. CONSENT To see if the Town will vote for the Conservation Commission to use the accumulated interest from the Lewis and Corrine Babbitt Wildlife Sanctuary Fund as of March 31 of the current fiscal year, to be used at the Sanctuary for Fiscal Year 2019; or act in relation thereto. ARTICLE 7. CONSENT To see if the Town will vote to re-authorize a Revolving Fund pursuant to state law MGL, Chapter 44, Section 53E½ to be expended by the Treasurer for fees due to the Electrical Inspector, Gas Inspector, and Plumbing Inspector; the Accountant shall be authorized to effect transfers from this account as required to cover vouchers submitted for payment upon verification that the disbursement requested does not exceed receipts to date; and expenditures from said Revolving Fund shall not exceed $20, for Fiscal Year 2019; or act in relation thereto. 16

19 ARTICLE 8. CONSENT To see if the Town will vote to re-authorize a Revolving Fund pursuant to state law MGL, Chapter 44, Section 53E½ to be expended by the Treasurer for fees due to the Fire Chief; the Accountant shall be authorized to effect transfers from this account as required to cover vouchers submitted for payment upon verification that the disbursement requested does not exceed receipts to date; and expenditures from said Revolving Fund shall not exceed $2, for Fiscal Year 2019; or act in relation thereto. ARTICLE 9. CONSENT To see if the Town will vote to re-authorize the Town Clerk to deposit fee income generated from certificates, DBA s, Dog Fees, Genealogy, etc. into a Revolving Fund account for payment of fees due as submitted for payment by the Town Clerk pursuant to the provisions of state law MGL, Chapter 44, Section 53E½, said fund to be established from receipts of said income; and expenditures shall not exceed $2, for Fiscal Year 2019; or act in relation thereto. ARTICLE 10. CONSENT To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Tax Collector to deposit fee income generated from collection of taxes into a Revolving Fund account for payment of fees due as submitted for payment by the Tax Collector pursuant to the provisions of state law MGL, Chapter 44, Section 53E ½, said fund to be established from receipts of said income; and expenditures shall not exceed $10, for Fiscal Year 2019; or act in relation thereto. ARTICLE 11. CONSENT To see if the Town will vote to re-authorize a Revolving Fund, pursuant to state law MGL, Chapter 44, Section 53E½ for deposits of all receipts for grave openings and from which the Selectboard and Cemetery Commission may make expenditures to pay the costs thereof; and expenditures from said Revolving Fund shall not exceed $6, for Fiscal Year 2019; or act in relation thereto. ARTICLE 12. CONSENT To see if the Town will vote to re-authorize a Revolving Fund pursuant to state law MGL, Chapter 44, Section 53E½ for deposits of fees collected under the Petersham School Committee Fee Schedule for use of the Petersham School Building, to be expended by the Petersham School Committee for the purpose of repairs to the Building and replacement of equipment associated with the use of the Facility; and expenditures from said Revolving Fund shall not exceed $2, for Fiscal Year 2019; or act in relation thereto. ARTICLE 13. CONSENT To see if the Town will vote to authorize a Revolving Fund, pursuant to state law MGL, Chapter 44, Section 53E½ to be expended by the Conservation Commission to pay for services and fees charged for the filing of hearing applications, to include retrieval fees, legal notices, clerical fees, postage fees, and the carrying out of duties required; said fund to be established from receipts collected by the Conservation Commission and expenditures from said Revolving Fund not to exceed $5, for Fiscal Year 2019; or act in relation thereto. ARTICLE 14. CONSENT To see if the Town will vote to re-authorize a Revolving Fund pursuant to state law MGL, Chapter 44, Section 53E½ for deposits of fees collected under the Planning Board Rules and Regulations Fee Schedule, to be expended by the Planning Board for the purpose of carrying out its duties; and expenditures from said Revolving Fund shall not exceed $1, for Fiscal Year 2019; or act in relation thereto. 17

20 ARTICLE 15. CONSENT To see if the Town will vote to re-authorize a Revolving Fund pursuant to state law MGL, Chapter 44, Section 53E½ for deposits of fees collected under the Zoning Board of Appeals Rules and Regulations Fee Schedule, to be expended by the Zoning Board of Appeals for the purposes of carrying out its duties; and expenditures from said Revolving Fund shall not exceed $3, for Fiscal Year 2019; or act in relation thereto. ARTICLE 16. CONSENT To see if the Town will vote to re-authorize a Revolving Fund, pursuant to state law MGL, Chapter 44, Section 53E½ to be expended by the Board of Health, to pay for consulting services as required by the Board of Health, said fund to be established from receipts collected by the Board of Health for fees for its services; and expenditures from said Revolving Fund shall not exceed $10, for Fiscal Year 2019; or act in relation thereto. ARTICLE 17. CONSENT To see if the Town will vote to re-authorize a Revolving Fund, pursuant to state law MGL, Chapter 44, Section 53E½ and pursuant to Local Cultural Council Regulations at 962 CMR 2:05, for deposits of local funds collected by the Petersham Cultural Council, to be expended by the Petersham Cultural Council for the purpose of carrying out its duties; and expenditures from said Revolving Fund shall not exceed $3, for Fiscal Year 2019; or act in relation thereto. ARTICLE 18. CONSENT To see if the Town will vote to accept and expend Chapter 90 Funds from the State, said expenditures to be 100% reimbursed by the State; or act in relation thereto. END OF CONSENT AGENDA ARTICLE 19. Fiscal Year 2019 OPERATING BUDGETS To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, appropriate from available funds, take from the Stabilization Fund, approve subject to Proposition 2 l/2 Over-ride, or any combination thereof, all necessary sums of money to pay Town Charges and Expenses for the Fiscal Year 2019 as per budgets submitted by the several Town Departments and as approved by the Advisory Finance Committee or any other amounts deemed to be sufficient; or act in relation thereto. ARTICLE 20. To see if the Town will vote to fix the salaries of all Elective Town Officers as provided in Section 108 of Chapter 41, General Laws as amended: Moderator $0; Town Treasurer $17,380.00; Town Clerk $11,129.00; Tax Collector $13,757.00; Selectboard, Chair, $2,855.00; two members $2, each; Board of Assessors, Chair, $3,235.00, Clerk, $2,800.00, other member, $2,636.00; Trustee of Library FREE; Constables $12.50/PER HOUR; Board of Health chair, $203.00, other members, $150 each; or act in relation thereto. 18

21 ARTICLE 21. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, appropriate from available funds, take from the Stabilization Fund, borrow, or any combination thereof, the sum not to exceed $25, for employee contractual obligations incurred for the Chief of Police; or act in relation thereto. ARTICLE 22. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, appropriate from available funds, take from the Stabilization Fund, borrow, or any combination thereof, the sum of $1, to be used for Council on Aging activities; or act in relation thereto. ARTICLE 23. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, appropriate from available funds, take from the Stabilization Fund, borrow, or any combination thereof, the sum of $1, for six (6) Petersham Brass Band concerts at $ per concert, to be held during the summer; or act in relation thereto. VOTER PREFERENCE ARTICLE 24. To see if the Town will vote to take the accumulated interest from the Consolidated Cemetery Fund 1 and 2, the E.M. Cook Cemetery Trust Fund, the L.L. Pond Cemetery Fund, and the William Smith Cemetery Fund for deposit into the Cemetery Repair Fund, said fund to be expended by the Cemetery Commission for Cemetery improvements; or act in relation thereto. ARTICLE 25. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, appropriate from available funds, take from the Stabilization Fund, borrow, or any combination thereof, the sum of $101, to pay the Fiscal Year 2019 principal and interest due on the construction note for the Petersham Center School building project; or act in relation thereto. ARTICLE 26. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, appropriate from available funds, take from the Stabilization Fund, borrow, or any combination thereof, the sum of $19, to pay the Fiscal Year 2019 principal and interest due on the construction note for the Ralph C. Mahar Regional School District school building; or act in relation thereto. ARTICLE 27. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, appropriate from available funds, take from the Stabilization Fund, borrow, or any combination thereof, the sum of $2, to pay the Fiscal Year 2019 principal and interest on the note for repairs to the Ralph C. Mahar Regional School District dam; or act in relation thereto. 19

22 ARTICLE 28. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, appropriate from available funds, take from the Stabilization Fund, take from the Board of Health Revolving Fund, take from the Asbestos Removal Account No , borrow, or any combination thereof, the sum of $42, to pay the principal and interest due on the note for asbestos removal at the Nichewaug Inn & Academy building; or act in relation thereto. ARTICLE 29. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, appropriate from available funds, take from the Stabilization Fund, borrow, or any combination thereof, the sum of $8, for the Board of Assessors to contract for services for the update of values of all real estate for Fiscal Year 2020, as required by State law; or act in relation thereto. ARTICLE 30. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, appropriate from available funds, take from the Stabilization Fund, borrow, or any combination thereof, the sum of $2, for deposit in the existing General Fund Account No Nichewaug Inn & Academy Maintenance for general maintenance of the property; or act in relation thereto. ARTICLE 31. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, appropriate from available funds, take from the Stabilization Fund, borrow, or any combination thereof, the sum of $5, for payment of year five of five of hose replacement for the Fire Department; or act in relation thereto. ARTICLE 32. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, appropriate from available funds, take from the Stabilization Fund, borrow, or any combination thereof, the sum of $25, for payment of year two of two of new turnout gear for the Fire Department; or act in relation thereto. ARTICLE 33. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, appropriate from available funds, take from the Stabilization Fund, take from the HandicapAcc/TownHall/Town Office Account No , borrow, or any combination thereof, the sum of $20, for construction and installation of a three-stop handicap accessible lift for exterior and interior access at Petersham Town Hall; and that said appropriation be designated as matching grant funding and be subject to and in combination with a positive grant award notification of a Municipal ADA Improvement Grant from the Massachusetts Office of Disabilities or other granting authority; or act in relation thereto. 20

23 ARTICLE 34. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, appropriate from available funds, take from the Stabilization Fund, borrow, or any combination thereof, the sum of $80, for a new Highway Department Ford F550 truck with dump body, plow, and sander; or act in relation thereto. ARTICLE 35. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, appropriate from available funds, take from the Stabilization Fund, take from the Town Hall Window Shutters Account No , take from the Town Hall Bldg. Exterior Account No , borrow, or any combination thereof, the sum of $10, for regrading, repair, paving, and parking lot striping at Town Hall northern parking area; or act in relation thereto. ARTICLE 36. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, appropriate from available funds, take from the Stabilization Fund, borrow, or any combination thereof, the sum of $4, for repair and upgrade of the existing World War I monument located on Petersham South Common; or act in relation thereto. ARTICLE 37. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, appropriate from available funds, take from the Stabilization Fund, borrow, or any combination thereof, the sum of $4, for maintenance repairs at the Bandstand on Petersham Common; or act in relation thereto. ARTICLE 38. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, appropriate from available funds, take from the Stabilization Fund, borrow, or any combination thereof, the sum of $4, for regrading, repair, loam, and seed at locations around Town Common edges; or act in relation thereto. ARTICLE 39. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, appropriate from available funds, take from the Stabilization Fund, borrow, or any combination thereof, the sum of $35, for deposit into the Reserve Fund for Fiscal Year 2019; or act in relation thereto. ARTICLE 40. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, appropriate from available funds, transfer, take from the HandicapAcc/TownHall/Town Office Account No , borrow, or any combination thereof, a certain amount for deposit into the Stabilization Fund; or act in relation thereto. 21

24 ARTICLE 41. To see if the Town will vote to amend the Town of Petersham Zoning By-laws, currently codified as Article XVI in the Town s General By-laws, as follows, such changes being shown in a copy of the full Zoning By-laws on file in the office of the Town Clerk; or act in relation thereto: A. by removing them from the General By-laws and establishing them as a separate document entitled Town of Petersham Zoning By-laws with its own table of contents; B. by moving and re-numbering the following sections and subsections as follows: Subsection 5.D, Telecommunication and Cellular Towers renumber as Section 16 Subsection 5.E, Earth Removal/Sand and Gravel Extraction renumber as Section 17 Subsection 5.F, Solar Electric Installations renumber as Section 18 Section 5.B, Subdivisions renumber as Section 19 Section 1.1, Townwide Rate of Development renumber as Section 20 C. by deleting from Section 4, Dimensional Requirements, the words, See TABLE OF DIMENSIONAL REQUIREMENTS, Page 42A, inserting the existing table from page 42A in its place with deleted text shown below in strikethrough, and eliminating page 42A. See TABLE OF DIMENSIONAL REQUIREMENTS, Page42A TABLE OF DIMENSIONAL REQUIREMENTS Minimum Minimum Lot Minimum Yard Depth Maximum Maximum Lot Area Frontage Front Rear Side Height Building on a Street (b) (c) (b) (c) (d) Residential Use 1.5 acres 150 ft 40 ft 40 ft 20 ft 2.5 stories 20% (63,340 sf) or 35 ft Business Use 1.5 acres 150 ft 50 ft 50 ft 50 ft 2.5 stories 20% (63,340 sf) or 35 ft Rear Lots 1.5 acres 40 ft 40 ft 40 ft 20 ft 2.5 stories 20% plus access on street or 35 ft strip 150 ft width of lot at front of house VOTER PREFERENCE ARTICLE 42 To see if the Town will vote to amend the Town of Petersham General By-laws, as follows, such changes being shown in a copy of the full By-laws on file in the office of the Town Clerk; or act in relation thereto: Article 42 Bylaw text continued to next page > 22

25 A. Correct the page numbers in the Table of Contents to reflect prior amendments and revise the Table of Contents text as shown in the copy on file with the Town Clerk, including as shown below for the following Article, with the deleted text shown in strikethrough and the new text shown as underlined: Article XVI Zoning By-laws Deleted and replaced by a separate document 37 B. Reword the text for Article X as follows: ARTICLE X EARTH REMOVAL BY-LAW DELETED AND REPLACED BY ARTICLE XVI, ZONING BY-LAW SECTION 5.E. MOVED TO ZONING BY-LAW C. In Article XVIII, Stretch Energy Code, delete the initial listing of sections after the title as follows: Section 1 - Definitions Section 2 - Purpose Section 3 - Applicability Section 4 - Stretch Code; and insert the word Section before each numbered section. D. For Article XIX, Local Licenses and Permits, Denial, Revocation, or Suspension, revise the title so that it reads as follows: ARTICLE XIX LOCAL LICENSES AND PERMITS; DENIAL, REVOCATION, OR SUSPENSION FOR FAILURE TO PAY MUNICIPAL TAXES OR CHARGES VOTER PREFERENCE ARTICLE 43. CITIZEN PETITION ROY NILSON, LEAD PETITIONER To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, appropriate from available funds, take from the Stabilization Fund, borrow, or any combination thereof, the sum of $1, to support the Petersham Friday Market and its 2018 program of up to 20 live music performances to be held on the town common; or act in relation thereto. VOTER PREFERENCE ARTICLE 44. CITIZEN PETITION POLLY PILLSBURY, LEAD PETITIONER That the existing Town account of $47,152.32, identified by the Town Accountant as No 'HandicapAcc/TownHall/Town Office', voted by the town citizens in 2016 for the construction of a Town Hall exterior ramp be made available if needed to fund the construction of a mechanical lift inside the southwest corner of the Town Hall. NOT RECOMMENDED ARTICLE 45. CITIZEN PETITION TREASURER, TAX COLLECTOR, TOWN CLERK, AND BOARD OF ASSESSORS, LEAD PETITIONERS To see if the Town will vote to accept the provisions of Mass General laws Chapter 41, Section 19K which provides an annual stipend to the Town Clerk for becoming certified by the Massachusetts Town Clerks Association or act in relation thereto. NOT RECOMMENDED 23

26 ARTICLE 46. CITIZEN PETITION TREASURER, TAX COLLECTOR, TOWN CLERK, AND BOARD OF ASSESSORS, LEAD PETITIONERS To see if the Town will vote to accept the provisions of Mass General laws Chapter 41 Section 108P which provides an annual stipend to Collectors and Treasurers who have obtained certification by the Massachusetts Collectors and Treasurers Association or act in relation thereto. NOT RECOMMENDED ARTICLE 47. CITIZEN PETITION TREASURER, TAX COLLECTOR, TOWN CLERK, AND BOARD OF ASSESSORS, LEAD PETITIONERS To see if the Town will vote to accept the provisions of Mass General laws Chapter 59, Section 21A which provides an annual stipend to Assessors and Assistant Assessors who have obtained certification from the International Association of Assessing Officers or the Association of Massachusetts Assessors or act in relation thereto. NOT RECOMMENDED ARTICLE 48. CITIZEN PETITION TREASURER, TAX COLLECTOR, TOWN CLERK, AND BOARD OF ASSESSORS, LEAD PETITIONERS To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $4, to pay the stipends of certified Town Officials as accepted in the previous three articles or act in relation thereto. NOT RECOMMENDED END OF ANNUAL TOWN MEETING WARANT... 24

27 Summary of Town Appropriation for Proposed School Budgets School Year TOTAL PETERSHAM CENTER SCHOOL BUDGET ASSESSMENT FOR PETERSHAM SCHOOL YEAR Operating Education Budget Assessment $ 1,509,171 Total Building Construction Debt Assessment $ 101,380 Total Proposed Appropriation at Town Meeting $ 1,610,551 TOTAL RALPH C. MAHAR REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT BUDGET ASSESSMENT FOR PETERSHAM, SCHOOL YEAR Operating Education Budget Assessment $ 768,307 Total Building Construction Debt Assessment $ 19,611 Total Dam Project Debt Assessment $ 2,167 Total Proposed Appropriation at Town Meeting $ 790,085 TOTAL MONTACHUSETT VOCATIONAL TECHNICAL SCHOOL BUDGET ASSESSMENT FOR PETERSHAM, SCHOOL YEAR Operating Education Budget Assessment $ 36,449 Total Transporation & Capital Debt Assessment $ 4,056 Total Proposed Appropriation at Town Meeting $ 40,505 25

28 Petersham Center School Proposed Fiscal Year 2019 Budget, School Year Petersham Center School Proposed FY2019 Budget and Budget History FY 2019 Proposed Petersham Center School Proposed FY2019 Budget FY 2019 Proposed Budget 26

29 Petersham Center School Proposed Fiscal Year 2019 Budget, School Year (continued) Petersham Center School FY2019 Preliminary Proposed Spending Plan Analysis of Major Increases and (Decreases) 27

30 Ralph C. Mahar Regional School District Proposed Fiscal Year 2019 Budget, School Year Ralph C. Mahar Regional School District Proposed FY 2019 Town Assessments 28

31 Ralph C. Mahar Regional School District Proposed Fiscal Year 2019 Budget, School Year (continued) 29

32 30 Ralph C. Mahar Regional School District Proposed Fiscal Year 2019 Budget, School Year (continued)

33 Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School Proposed Fiscal Year 2019 Budget, School Year Community Assessments Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School 31

34 32 Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School Proposed Fiscal Year 2019 Budget, School Year (continued)

35 A N N U A L T O W N M E E T I N G P E T E R S H A M, M A S S A C H U S E T T S MONDAY, JUNE 4, :30 PM PETERSHAM TOWN HALL The Special Town Meeting begins at 7:30 PM The Annual Town Meeting immediately follows the Special Town Meeting. All welcome. Please come to vote on your town s annual budget. Dear Reader: All registered residents are encouraged to attend Petersham Town Meeting. If you are not a registered voter in the Town of Petersham, you must receive permission from the Town Moderator to gain admittance to the main floor. If you have questions or need assistance, please inquire with Town Meeting checkers at the front door. Please bring this report with you for reference at Town Meeting. TOWN OF PETERSHAM ADVISORY FINANCE COMMITTEE P.O. Box 486 Petersham, Massachusetts